Over the next two years, a! (spoken “ali”) will focus on the creation of level-specific learning materials. This includes the automated analysis of texts and corresponding exercises to deliver a learning experience tailored to the individual. Together the partners will provide an important next step in improving digital technologies for foreign language learning.

Foreign language learning demands innovation

As a language student, you want to work with content that is especially interesting to you. To support your learning, L-Pub developed a new reading format, the “L-Book”, which is a mix of e-book and language trainer. In a book that you choose, you create individualized exercises, depending on what you click on. This individualized and contextualized learning approach delivers a huge added value, as learning is more targeted and motivation increases.

How does an L-Book work?

While reading the e-book of your choice, you can look up words and find accurate translations which fit the context exactly (in contrast to the often generalized suggestions provided by dictionaries embedded in e-readers). Looking up words like this is supported by almost any e-reading format, as long as the book has been annotated before by L-Pub. The L-Book also offers detailed, language-specific information on grammar and meaning.

In order to access the exercises, learners have to switch to an app or use an L-Book reader (still in development). In the app, you can practice the new words in the same context as you read them. This is key, as learners are automatically confronted with correct usage and many words may not make sense when they are isolated from a context.

What role will a! play in all this?

The a! project will add deeper levels of sophistication to the L-Book’s individualized and contextualized approach, bringing in scientific methods for even better didactics, machine learning for more precise classification of the exercises and adaptive parameters to fine tune the learning experience to each learner based on their real-time progress. As a starting point, the partners will run experiments with complex learning formats, such as C-Tests.

What is a C-Test?

C-Tests are a special kind of test in which the second half of every second word is replaced by a gap. By filling in the word endings, language learners practice not only the selection of the correct word but also the correct flexion and word order. C-Tests are a proven means to establish a student’s aptitude level.

The L-Book + C-Test = individualized, adaptive learning

The a! project will innovate methods to generate an individualized C-Test. While the production of a C-Test is relatively uncomplicated, the main challenge lies in selecting a text suitable to the learner’s level, and then adapting how the software decides which word endings to omit.

The UKP will use machine learning to achieve a individualized, level-specific adaptation of the C-Test, based on training data comprised of pre-classified texts, learner generated content and learner progress through a series of exercises. The machine learning will help determine the degree of difficulty of each gap and possible interdependencies between two or more gaps in a given text.

New solutions in digital education

The combination of the analysis of a text’s learning level and the link to adaptive exercises will help pioneer and validate this new context-based approach to learning languages.

All in all, the a! project represents a milestone in the further development of the L-Book and its significance for language learners everywhere. Stay tuned as L-Pub reports regularly on the progress of this project.

If you are a publisher and want to learn about L-Books and how they might be relevant to you, please get in touch with us! We would be happy to demonstrate to you how they work and explain our different sales models in detail.

If you are an educator or a language learner, write to us to find out how you can participate in our pilot tests.

This project (HA-Projekt-Nr.: 521/17-03) is sponsored in part by the Hessen ModellProjekte financed by the LOEWE – Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz, Förderlinie 3: KMU-Verbundvorhaben.

Bildung im digitalen Wandel – ein Workshop & seine Ergebnisse

General interest publishers

About the “L”

L-Pub stands for “Learning Publications”, which encompasses not only the typical understanding of learning, but any action by readers to still their curiosity.

The “L” also stands for language technology. Based on our core competences in natural language processing and termbase structuring, we offer a range of products and services to content owners across all genres and sectors.

Build a “termbase”

Even if you do not yet have a termbase (a database with reference content), you probably already have much of the content needed to create one. L-Pub can help you create a termbase using different tools and strategies. Learn more on the page Termbase services.

X-ray your texts

Are your texts appropriate for your target audiences? Do you have texts that need to be understood by non-native speakers or is there particular wording you need to use or avoid? Let L-Pub analyze your texts to give you a full view on what they contain. Learn more on the page Text analysis.

Get a quote

Are you interested in a text analysis or other services? Get in touch so we can start the conversation!

L-Pub

LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

L-Pub stands for “Learning Publications”, which encompasses learning in the traditional sense as well as simply giving readers access to relevant information. That’s what the “L” in L-Pub is all about: letting readers still their curiosity.

The “L” also stands for language technology. Based on our core competences in natural language processing and termbase structuring, we are able to offer a range of services to content owners across all genres and sectors.